AASECT Certification Information
The Somatica Institute is Honored to Be an AASECT Approved CE Provider
Looking to become a certified sexuality educator, counselor, or therapist? The Somatica Institute is proud to be an AASECT approved program, offering 90 hours of Core Knowledge Areas (CKAs) toward your ASSECT certification — fully online.
Somatica’s comprehensive training provides a potent blend of real-world coaching skills, AASECT certification eligibility, and professional credibility, with the added convenience of learning from anywhere in the world.
Somatica’s Core Knowledge Areas (CKAs) support all of AASECT’s 3 certification pathways.
A Powerful Combination: Somatica Certification + AASECT Certification + ABS Certification
By completing your online Somatica Certification, you won’t just gain 90 hours toward your AASECT certification requirements — you will also receive full certification through the American Board of Sexology (ABS). This means that in addition to being well on your way to becoming an AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator, Counselor, or Therapist, you will also be able to call yourself a Certified Somatica Practitioner, Certified Sexologist, and Certified Sexuality Professional. [Read about Somatica’s full roster of accreditations.]
With these powerful credentials combined, you’ll have an impressive toolkit that sets you apart in the field of sexuality education, counseling, and therapy — helping you serve clients with greater confidence and expertise.
Understanding AASECT’s 3 Key Certification Areas and How the Somatica Training Supports Your Journey
If you’re looking to become certified through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT), there are 3 primary certification paths you can pursue. Each certification aligns with different professional roles in sexuality education, counseling, and therapy.
1. AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator®
As a Certified Sexuality Educator, you teach and train others about various aspects of human sexuality. Your work involves discussing topics like sexual health, anatomy, contraception, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), gender identity, sexual pleasure, and sexuality across different cultures and life stages. You can choose to teach in schools, universities, healthcare settings, or community organizations, providing education to children, adolescents, or adults. Additionally, you are able to design workshops, develop curricula, and conduct outreach programs to promote sexual well-being in diverse populations.
2. AASECT Certified Sexuality Counselor®
If you become a Certified Sexuality Counselor, you support clients by helping them address sexual concerns through short-term, client-focused guidance. As a sexuality counselor, you may come from backgrounds such as nursing, pastoral care, school counseling, or other related fields. Your role involves offering practical advice, communication techniques, and strategies to help clients resolve immediate concerns. Rather than providing long-term psychotherapy, your focus is on actionable steps and effective solutions for your clients, looking to improve their sexual well-being.
3. AASECT Certified Sex Therapist®
If you pursue certification as a Certified Sex Therapist, you become a licensed mental health professional. Your training enables you to assess, diagnose, and provide in-depth psychotherapy for clients with sexual concerns. In this role, you address complex issues such as sexual dysfunction, pleasure challenges, gender identity concerns, and trauma recovery. As a sex therapist, you’ll offer comprehensive and ongoing support to clients navigating long-standing or deeply rooted sexual challenges, combining your clinical expertise with specialized sexual health knowledge.
AASECT Certification Requirements (Beyond CKAs)
Please note, each of the AASECT certifications requires a bachelor’s degree as well as many additional steps. If you do not have a bachelor’s degree, do not want to go back to school, or complete the full list of AASECT requirements, you can still get certified by Somatica and the American Board of Sexology and become a sex & relationship coach and sexologist!
If you strive for AASECT certification, you will need to complete the following steps, in addition to the 90 hours of CKAs the Somatica Institute provides:
- Membership and Licensing:
Maintain a membership with AASECT, adhere to their Code of Conduct, and be licensed or credentialed in your state of practice. - Supervised Experience:
Completion of supervised clinical, counseling, or educational experience hours specific to your certification track. - Training in Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR):
Participation in an AASECT-approved SAR workshop to explore personal values and biases around sexuality. - Field Experience / Practicum:
Hands-on practice in the field with documented experience. - Recommendations and Endorsements:
Letters of reference from professionals familiar with your work in the field of sexuality. - Ethics and Professional Standards:
Commitment to following AASECT’s Code of Ethics and demonstrating professional integrity. - Application and Fees:
Submission of a formal application along with applicable fees.
The Somatica Certification Training and Your Path to AASECT Certification
The Somatica Certification Training is approved as one of AASECT’s certification programs online. It offers an immersive program that meets the CKA requirements and covers a wide range of topics, including human sexuality, intimacy skills, professional ethics, and cultural awareness.
Because the Somatica training is live online over Zoom, you will acquire expertise beyond information and philosophy – you’ll master clinical skills and tools to use with clients and students. Through experiential learning, Somatica will equip you with practical techniques and theoretical understanding, making it an excellent foundation for pursuing AASECT certification as an educator, counselor, or therapist.
The Somatica training is deeply experiential, helping students develop real-world coaching skills. While some exercises involve touch (less than 5%), students always have full control over their participation. AASECT certification does not permit touch-based coaching, but all non-touch units in the Somatica training fully apply toward your AASECT certification.
Somatica makes it easy to start your AASECT certification journey online with live training, mentorship, and flexible scheduling.
The next training cohort begins soon!
Apply Now or join an upcoming Live Q&A to see how Somatica can help you achieve AASECT certification.
*This program meets the requirements for the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). The Somatica Institute is an approved organizational provider for AASECT CE’s, Provider #24-526-SI. Attainment of AASECT CE’s does not ensure or guarantee AASECT Certification. For further information, please contact [email protected].
Please contact your local certifying organization for detailed information on whether these CEs can be applied to your license. Also, note that we offer CEs for MFTs, CSWs, and LPCs through CAMFT.